According to the member vote, Pocono Mountains, PA has been selected for our 2023 Member Gathering.

Now the question is, where do we look to call "home" during the event?

In this map below, I've circled some possible locations.  The X is where Pocono Raceway is. I was thinking a tour of that facility would probably be cool.

So, for those of you familiar with the area, where do you think would make sense to get our group hotel?

What activity suggestions do you have?

What sites should we see?

At what places should we eat?

The more suggestions we get, the easier it will be to put an agenda together.

Also, what month should we target?  July? August? September?

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

O.K. I'll start. Most central area for our stay and ease of access to most venues would be Tannersville. Close exit to highway 84. Many lodgings in area. Eating establishments are various and accessible. Late July may eliminate the rush of vacationers to the area. I'm not real familiar with the area, but activities for our age group may be limited, and require some travel to find acceptable venues. How many days do you want to enjoy? How far in one day do you want to drive? Road trips? Casinos? History? Entertainment? Day trips on your own? Casual time with participants? So much to think about, and accommodate those who attend. Let's not loose the opportunity to gather and renew friendships, and make a trip from afar a memorable time. 

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Any questions on the Poconos area I can help answer since we own a cabin in Promised Land State Park which is in the heart of the Poconos. I also have 30 years of working the races at Pocono Raceway, although retired for over 3 years now, but I can help with that. What are the groups feelings as to how far you are willing to travel to an attraction? Need lots of input from possible attendees.

DanT

Lots of museums in the area (here's a map).

Typical gatherings start with a Wednesday evening welcome dinner. 

A fairly short driving day on Thursday visiting a spot in the morning, lunch somewhere, visiting a spot in the afternoon and then dinner somewhere.

Friday is usually a longer driving day visiting a spot in the morning, lunch somewhere, visiting a spot in the afternoon and then dinner somewhere.

Saturday is usually a shorter driving day visiting a spot in the morning, lunch somewhere, visiting a spot in the afternoon and then dinner somewhere.

And Sunday is a "see ya next year" breakfast before heading for home.

So that's 6 venues to visit, 3 lunch spots, and 3 dinner spots to line up (breakfasts are usually at the host hotel).

It takes a bit of sorting out to be sure.  It's not really hard, just consumes some time to lay it all out.

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Forgot to mention that an ice cream stop is mandatory for Mr. Countryman.  🤣

And a go-kart night after dinner one night is EXCEPTIONAL...!!!  👍

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

After both my wife and I getting motion sick after the go karts in Saskatoon we'll pass on that! 😂

DanT

Thanks!

Come on folks... time's a wasting.  Need more ideas on things to do and see.  And also WHEN as that plays an important part in figuring things out...!!! 

Over 2 dozen folks voted for this area and there have been only 2 replies so far.  TIC TOC...!!!

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

I see there is a Segway tour on the Poconos Trail, we really enjoyed the one in Branson when we had the gathering there. May not be for everyone but is lots of fun and really easy to get used to maneuver it. Maybe an option for those who wish to try it out.

Late August could work for us, we have several travel plans over the summer and fall and plan to work this in. It is always a blast!! Not to mention getting to see everyone again!!

Mel
Lifetime Member #90

Early September is the best weather. Usually dry and warm but not extremely hot in the mountains. 

I don't think many of us have kids to worry about at this time for school etc. 

Arrive on Wednesday as others mentioned.  Depart Sunday AM.

I had fun years ago in Pigeon Forge TN, but the Vette was not able to make the trip - still was in a lot of pieces. (!)

I had the 94 Black Impala SS which made the trip possible. The Vette runs now but never have driven that far especially in the rain, so it will take a lot of coaxing the wife to drive the Vette. Once dead on the road scared her a bit :) And no A/C .

Looking forward to the event.

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

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We are good for anytime in July or August. We need to avoid mid-September to October as we are going to try again to drive all of Route 66 (had to cancel last year due to a death in the family). We will likely drive up to Maine after the gathering to overindulge on lobster. 

Mark 


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States I've visited:

Just to let everybody know since I am relatively local to the upcoming Gathering area I have begun a search of hotels, visit locations, and dining establishments. I know it is early in the process but it would be nice to have an idea of the number of attendees which eventually will be mandatory when dealing with the hotels especially. Adam I don't know if want to be a part of this but if you can put some sort of survey on this post to get an idea of the number of people that are interested/going to the Gathering it would be helpful. Any assistance from anybody in the area would also be appreciated.

DanT

Hey Dan.

Thanks for offering to do this!  Mark (manchestershark) also offered to help out a bit. So maybe the two of you can compare notes.  I'm not sure you really need a solid count to get started. I would say based on recent number, count on 20-40 people and blocking 20 rooms at a hotel.

Let me know what you need from me.

Thanks!

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

O.K. Friends and Corvette enthusiasts. We need a good time frame to set for the Gathering. Mid Summer?  Late Summer? OR, After school starts, after labor day? Let's get a Quick consensus, so we can put some air in the tires, change the oil, and get this trip on the map. Thanks in advance! 

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Don't know the area but would prefer August or September.  July is a bit too hot and busy for that long a drive.

Greetings!  We are unfamiliar with the Poconos, so we can’t add much to the convo. September is best for us. The A/C in our C3 needs as much cool weather boost as it can get, and Jul/Aug are busy for us.🤣

Unfortunately, Isabella (vette) and I will not be able to travel that far! 😢 but will be looking forward to the gathering photos! 

I have never been to the area so I have no idea of where to stay or what to see. But if the dates work, I will be there.

I would suggest a month when it is not too busy.

I like informal restaurants.

I like local history and museums.

Curvy back roads are always a plus.

Just don't pack 7 days of sightseeing into 3 days.

Dave

Save the Wave!
Support the National Corvette Museum   

We think alike Dave, one of my pet peeves.

DanT

If the dates work I would attend.

For activity suggestion, I’ll call out the AACA museum   https://www.aacamuseum.org/

From what I understand, it’s one of the top Automotive Museum in the country 

It’s in Hershey so a bit farther of a drive then typical (unless folks know of things along the way). If too far for the official gathering, I’ll plan to hit it on the way in or heading home (assuming dates work for us)

I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!

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We, like Dave like cruising the back roads. That was the reason for the Poconos. Any time is good, as long as it doesn't interfere with registered events. 

A Sept date could work for me.

The wife and I love the area.   Some places to visit that are fairly easy walks are Grey Towers, Kittatinny Mountain, Dingmans Falls, and Buttermilk falls.   Bushkill falls are little more strenuous but not terrible.  I recently found photos of a road just north of there called Hawks Nest.  I'd love to take the Vette for a cruise up there.   

September would be best for me for various reasons, including...Bonnie does not have AC.  I am game for any activities.

Friday is typically a longer driving day so it could work as the morning activity, grab lunch someplace nearby and stop at another venue part way on the return trip to the host hotel.  Just a thought.

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Starting to seem like September is the preferred month.

I know we should avoid the weekend of the 16th, because of MAM Corvette Funfest weekend.  Any other dates we should avoid?

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Labor Day weekend obviously, as it's the unofficial end of summer and it will probably be quite busy in the area (shoulder season prices usually kick in after it).  Picking either of the weekends before (the 9th) or after (the 25th) MAM Funfest might be too close for folks planning to attend it (have heard it's going to be quite the blowout!).  But on the flipside it might be an advantage (coin toss?).  Going too deep into the month venues may start closing for the season.  For folks coming from the west early winter weather could also play into traveling through the Rocky Mountains.   Oh, decisions, decisions...!!!   🤣

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Not necessary to bring a Vette! Just bring whatever you are comfortable with. 😀

I have been looking at the dates of September 27 to October 1. during this time frame the leaves will be near full color, an added benefit. That time frame may have an effect on some of the activities but the effect will be minor.

DanT

I think late September early October would be nice.

Yeah, early October could be good too. We're not camping, we're in a hotel, so even if it's a little chilly we should be good.

Might be easier to get a hotel in October too.

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Just recording here that a member emailed me and recommended the Antique Automobile Museum at Hershey, PA.

Not sure how close it will be to where we stay. May not be close enough. 

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Adam, that was one of the first places I thought about as a place to visit until I found out that depending on where we stay would be anywhere from 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive alone. Also several of us have already been there and it’s a place you can spend the better part of a day checking out all the exhibits there. I would recommend it to anybody to pay a visit there but plan on a whole day doing so. 
https://www.aacamuseum.org/visit/

DanT

Marshall had suggested the museum in a post above in this thread.  Just as a point of reference the Friday drive at last year's Gathering was just under 200 miles round trip.  I remember the Friday drive at the 2014 Gathering in Wisconsin was a long day, probably the longest of any of the Gatherings, as we left the hotel early and didn't get back until after dark.  The loop around Lake Tahoe at the 2007 Gathering was an all day trek as well if memory serves.

If we find a host hotel near the center of the region that will make the daily drives a little more consistent in length.  But if venues are more gathered in a particular part of the region then it makes more sense to find a host hotel more central to that part of the region.

My 2 pennies worth.

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Hwy 84?

Mt. Pocono area has many hotels and is close to Racetrack. Mount Airy casino is 6 minutes away, Lehigh George Scenic railroad is 39 minutes away, Claws and Paws Lake Areil about 38 minutes away. Hoarse back riding stables are fairly close if that is of interest to some of the group.  The Nascar race is July 21-23 so we want to stay away from this time period as a selection.

Just a few thoughts.